Many people suffer from back discomfort. Back discomfort can not only be limiting, but can sometimes be difficult to treat. Fortunately, many effective treatments for back discomfort exist. The following paragraphs contain a number of ideas you can apply to your situation in reducing your back pain.

One of the main things that can cause a sudden back injury is lifting something without knowing the true weight of it. The content of the box can be surprisingly heavy and can put unexpected strains on your back. Avoid relying on the box’s label to judge its contents.

You can protect your back during long hours behind a desk by simply going on a few walks throughout the day. Walking and stretching releases the tension and helps avoid muscle cramping or problems related to disc compression.

Back discomfort relief should begin with easier, less stringent actions. It’s often helpful to just rest for a couple of days. Anti-inflammatory medication, such as naproxen and ibuprofen, can ease pain and inflammation as your back heals. Analgesics such as acetaminophen will also reduce pain, but always follow label directions. Cold compresses can calm inflamed tissues, and heat can be helpful in soothing tight muscles.

If you are experiencing severe back discomfort, a trip to the doctor is in order. Your doctor will likely seek your medical history, run blood tests and other tests, and look at all the possible factors to assess your actual problem.

There are several types of medications for back pain, you have over the counter and prescription medicines. Your doctor should be consulted before a final decision on any medication is made. Over the counter pain medication is sometimes all that is needed, but other times prescription strength medicine or painkillers are necessary.

Find the most comfortable ways to sleep that are also good for your back. The best position may not be your favorite or most comfortable one, but it’s about what is best for your back and sleeping in a back-down, balanced area is vital. At all costs do not sleep on your stomach.

Try applying coolness and heat so that you can relive any back discomfort. Ice helps with the discomfort and brings down inflammation. Heat works by providing more blood to your muscles and relaxing them. Take a warm bath, and use a heating pad or an electric blanket for heat.

To avoid too much back pain, avoid any situations or substances that can provoke back spasms. Stress and caffeine are triggers that you can control, as are lack of sleep, low sodium count in your body, and anxiety. If back spasms do occur, heat applied directly to the region that is in pain can help.

Be aware of your posture at all times. When you type, have a straight back, both feet on the ground with one a little more in front, and both your elbows at the sides of your body. If your job requires you to look at a monitor, position it so that you don’t have to stretch your neck down or up to view it comfortably.

Don’t let your back discomfort take over your life. Do everything you can to make your pain more manageable so that you can live your life the way you want to. Now that you’ve read this article, take the advice that you think will work for you and apply it to your life.